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Thread: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

  1. #1
    turbo addict Turbo Mopar Contributor iTurbo's Avatar
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    Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    Is it true the the stock K-frames are made of galvanized steel? I have bought in a couple K-frames to welding shops in the past (after thorough stripping/cleaning) and some have refused to weld on them because they say it's galvanized. True or false?

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    turbo addict Pat's Avatar
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    Not the ones I've welded.

  3. #3
    Garrett booster
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    My question is why would it matter? I mean I know that welding galvanized puts off a nasty gas, but I weld galvenized steel at work all the time. You grind it back or do what my contractors do, hold thier breath. I wouldnt recommend it, since I have seen them weld straight through paint also. But the galvenized coating can be stripped back. Seems to me, they dont ant to do it cause of extra work. I have not removed the paint on a k-frame but I wouldnt think they would galvenize it

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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    I just finished modifying a "G" body K-Frame for my "L" body.
    Absolutely not Galvanized.
    Stamped steel; welded just fine. And that's with just a MIG.

    Quote Originally Posted by knownenemy View Post
    Began the task of converting the "G" K-Frame to my "L" body.

    If you're following this thread, do the underside reinforcements I've added appear sufficient?

    The initial welds(I had moved around a bit to avoid over heating any one area; laying a bunch of 1" beads).
    This is the top-side, and I didn't add additional braces to this side, only the underside.


    The braces I used already had 1/4" holes in them; I opened them more for plug welding(kinda):


    Used similar braces for the final pieces on the ends(top and bottom)


    Then I made the bobble strut bracket from 1/4", and wleded it in place


    I also ran a bead across the front of the frame on either side to join the layers of material




    Now, just to re-install the R/F frame mount "tower",
    and I'll be good to go!

  5. #5
    turbo addict Turbo Mopar Contributor iTurbo's Avatar
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    Thanks for the clarification. I have a hunch a couple shops that are local here just didn't want to work on it because most of their business comes from mining contracts. One of the shops did not even want to sand blast it because of it being galvanized. I eventually did find one that did do the work though. Nice to know for sure that it is not.

  6. #6
    boostaholic
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    My L body k frame is very much galvanized.

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    turbo addict Turbo Mopar Contributor iTurbo's Avatar
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    Quote Originally Posted by going4speed View Post
    My L body k frame is very much galvanized.
    Interesting and perhaps that is where my confusion is coming from.

    FWIW, it was an L-body K-frame for my '86 GLH Turbo that a local shop finally agreed to weld on, along with gussetting of both the K-frame and Caravan control arms. I painted it with POR-15 as well, and it seems to be holding up nice after 10 years.

  8. #8
    boostaholic
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    Yea I tried to light up on it with the tig and that was a no go at all. Then lit up with the mig and it would not stick for crap. I understand grinding back the galvanize but to me the fumes are a big danger as the fumes still come from the other side of the metal.

  9. #9
    turbo addict Pat's Avatar
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    If some are, not all are. I've worked on both k and l frames and none that I have worked have been galvanized. Interesting.

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    Supporting Member II Turbo Mopar Contributor ajakeski's Avatar
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    The K frame inmy CSX-T was gavanized and never painted from the factory.

    The white residue along some of the welds in the photos posted above is most likely zinc oxide from galvanizing being burnt during welding.

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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    Never seen one galvanized either. I know welding one I was lazy to properly clean it and maybe that's the white residue, makes you think its galvanized.
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  12. #12
    boostaholic
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    the galvanized smell is unmistakable.

  13. #13
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    Re: Stock K-frames are galvanized steel?

    Quote Originally Posted by ajakeski View Post
    The white residue along some of the welds in the photos posted above is most likely zinc oxide from galvanizing being burnt during welding.
    Not sure the "white residue" is actually what you believe it to be.
    Although I used the grinder to clean areas to be welded,
    there were coats of paint and primer from previous owner(s) on the frame.
    This was burning off as I welded.
    What appears to be residue may actually be the welds themselves you're seeing.
    As they shine, and in taking photos, reflect light.

    In the pics above, the frame is absolutely not constructed of galvanized.
    It's stamped steel.

    A somewhat simple way to distinguish between Galvanized metals and Stamped steel when welding,
    is that welds on galvanized metals will nearly always leave slag;
    whereas with steel, welds come off much cleaner, and with much better adherence.

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